Patents by Inventor Terry D. Warkentin
Terry D. Warkentin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9875597Abstract: Techniques for processing user information in wagering game systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a first wagering game system to assign a first set of access credentials to a user, wherein the first wagering system is connected to a first set of wagering game machines. The system can also include a second wagering game system to assign a second set of access credentials to the user, wherein the second wagering system connected to a second set of wagering game machines. The systems can also include a master identifier controller to receive and store the first and second sets of access credentials, to receive requests to access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials, and to facilitate access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventor: Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8678919Abstract: A controller of gaming machines that permit wagering on wagering games includes a first memory location that stores a first time-based schedule of gaming actions to be taken by the gaming machines that are located remote from the controller. A second memory location stores identities of first gaming machines. One of the first and second memory locations stores a pointer that links the other of the first and second memory locations and associates the first gaming machines with the first schedule so that one of the first schedule and first gaming machines can be modified independent of and without modifying the other of the first schedule and the first gaming machines. A data transmitter transmits instructions corresponding to the gaming actions defined by the first schedule to the first gaming machines.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Holman, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8663003Abstract: A system and method for viewing and ordering wager gaming content utilizes a network server to provide an interface to a user coupled to the network. In one embodiment, the server is an Internet web based server, and the user is a thin client, using an Internet browser to view and select wager gaming content. The web based server may be coupled to an order entry system to facilitate ordering and payment for selected wager gaming content. The order entry system may also be coupled to a content server to provide for downloading of selected wager gaming content.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Jeremy Hornik, Sue Ruebusch, Alfred Thomas, William Wadleigh, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8663010Abstract: Techniques and systems for remote gaming are presented. Gaming applications reside and process on portable gaming cards and the portable gaming cards are remote from the gaming terminal. Moreover, the portable gaming cards are interfaced to a gaming system processor, which facilitates the processing of the gaming applications. Interactions with the gaming terminal result in the remote and portable gaming card processing an appropriate gaming application. The results produced are communicated back to the gaming terminal. Furthermore, the results may alter multimedia presented or played on the gaming terminal.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Christopher J. Frattinger, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8414397Abstract: A method and apparatus in a gaming network for transmitting event messages from gaming terminals to a central server and, consequently, routing each event message to an appropriate application. The system may include multiple gaming function specific servers with multiple applications on each server using a dedicated central server for message routing. In addition, this system can route secondary event messages generated by primary event messages. These secondary messages may be routed to other applications, other servers, or the gaming terminals. The system utilizes an association data structure in the central server to route messages without the need for embedded routing software code in each application, minimizing the need to rewrite software code that may result from any changes in gaming function or the applications that provide that functionality.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Rory L. Block, Christopher W. Blackburn, Chih-Hui Jan, James P. Simmermon, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8393960Abstract: A controller of gaming machines includes an input/output module adapted to receive signals that represent a current status of a parameter of the gaming machines. A microprocessing unit generates for each gaming machine(s) an icon having variable visual indicia indicative of a value of the parameter being monitored. The microprocessing unit automatically changes in substantially real-time the visual indicia associated with the icon to reflect a change in the status of the parameter of an associated first gaming machine in accordance with a first received signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming IncInventors: Peter R. Anderson, Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Holman, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8308567Abstract: A gaming network includes a discovery service, gaming machines and services providers. The discovery service receives service information from the service providers and publishes the service information to gaming machines and other entities on the gaming network. The discovery service and service providers may be implemented as web services with a gaming services framework. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. Systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Rory L. Block, Thomas A. Gentles, Vikram Swamy, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8177632Abstract: A computing apparatus operating as a gaming machine permits wagering on games. A browser generates a request for information contained on a remote server. An intermediate client-side processing, ICSP, engine coupled with the browser receives the request and generates a corresponding request that is transmitted to the remote server. The browser, following the transmission of the first message, being released to process other actions without having yet received a reply to the first message.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8172686Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and/or servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to configure wagering game manager content, wherein the request is associated with a user identifier. The method can also include transmitting another request and the user identifier, and receiving and presenting configuration options, where the configuration options determine from which of a plurality of application servers that services can be requested. Additionally, in some embodiments, the configuration options determine separate modules for presenting information about the services. The method can also include receiving one or more configuration selections associated with the configuration options.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 8096883Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering wager gaming machine information are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting information about a wager gaming machine. The method can also include creating a human-readable wager gaming machine information report based on the information and e-mailing the wager gaming machine report to an email address.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Frattinger, Robert T. Davis, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 7927210Abstract: An accounting service for a gaming network including gaming machines provides systems and methods for retrieving accounting information such as gaming machine meter information from gaming machines on the gaming network. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. The systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Rory L. Block, Chih-Hui Jan, James P. Simmermon, Thomas A. Gentles, Vikram Swamy, Terry D. Warkentin
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Patent number: 7771276Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to wagering games and, more particularly, to a gaming network linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming network has a plurality of servers dedicated to providing a shared game to a plurality of gaming terminals. The shared game may be either competitive or collaborative between players and may be a combination of both competitive and collaborative game play. The dedicated game servers are connected to a core support network that has commonly used computer resources. The communication link between the gaming terminals and servers are supported by a communication server with message directing software that allows events that occur at individual gaming terminals to be broadcast to all other gaming terminals and servers associated with that shared gaming events.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: John A. Beatty, Christopher W. Blackburn, Rory L. Block, Chih-Hui Jan, Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20100167817Abstract: A controller of gaming machines includes an input/output module adapted to receive signals that represent a current status of a parameter of the gaming machines. A microprocessing unit generates for each gaming machine(s) an icon having variable visual indicia indicative of a value of the parameter being monitored. The microprocessing unit automatically changes in substantially real-time the visual indicia associated with the icon to reflect a change in the status of the parameter of an associated first gaming machine in accordance with a first received signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2006Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Hohnan, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20100048291Abstract: Techniques for processing user information in wagering game systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a first wagering game system to assign a first set of access credentials to a user, wherein the first wagering system is connected to a first set of wagering game machines. The system can also include a second wagering game system to assign a second set of access credentials to the user, wherein the second wagering system connected to a second set of wagering game machines. The systems can also include a master identifier controller to receive and store the first and second sets of access credentials, to receive requests to access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials, and to facilitate access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventor: Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20100035690Abstract: A computing apparatus operating as a gaming machine permits wagering on games. A browser generates a request for information contained on a remote server. An intermediate client-side processing, ICSP, engine coupled with the browser receives the request and generates a corresponding request that is transmitted to the remote server. The browser, following the transmission of the first message, being released to process other actions without having yet received a reply to the first message.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2006Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20090264203Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and/or servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to configure wagering game manager content, wherein the request is associated with a user identifier. The method can also include transmitting another request and the user identifier, and receiving and presenting configuration options, where the configuration options determine from which of a plurality of application servers that services can be requested. Additionally, in some embodiments, the configuration options determine separate modules for presenting information about the services. The method can also include receiving one or more configuration selections associated with the configuration options.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventor: Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20090156313Abstract: A controller of gaming machines that permit wagering on wagering games includes a first memory location that stores a first time-based schedule of gaming actions to be taken by the gaming machines that are located remote from the controller. A second memory location stores identities of first gaming machines. One of the first and second memory locations stores a pointer that links the other of the first and second memory locations and associates the first gaming machines with the first schedule so that one of the first schedule and first gaming machines can be modified independent of and without modifying the other of the first schedule and the first gaming machines. A data transmitter transmits instructions corresponding to the gaming actions defined by the first schedule to the first gaming machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2006Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Holman, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20090036217Abstract: A gaming services framework includes web services extensions and comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture. Systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts. One aspect of the systems and methods includes a loosely coupled architecture that consists of software components that semantically encapsulate discrete functionality (self contained and perform a single function or a related group of functions—the component describes its own inputs and outputs in a way that other software can determine what it does, how to invoke its functionality, and what result to expect). These components may be distributed and programmatically accessible (called by and exchange data with other software) over standard internetworking protocols (TCP/IP, HITP, DNS, DHCP, etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Rory L. Block, Terry D. Warkentin
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Publication number: 20080300059Abstract: Methods and systems for using user-configured networking protocols in wagering game networks are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for using user-configured networking protocols includes receiving values for one or more user-specified options associated with a gaming device and receiving a network address request originating from the gaming device. The computer-implemented method can also include transmitting a reply destined for the gaming device, wherein the reply includes a network address and the values for the one or more user-specified options.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Mark B. Gagner, Nevin J. Liber, Jason A. Smith, Terry D. Warkentin, Christopher W. Blackburn, Abdel Bargouthi
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Publication number: 20040266532Abstract: An event management service for a gaming network including one or more gaming machines provides systems and methods for sending and receiving event related messages. The events include tilts, jackpot wins, software corruption, etc. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. The systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Rory L. Block, Chih-Hui Jan, James P. Simmermon, Thomas A. Gentles, Vikram Swamy, Terry D. Warkentin